Story Highlights

Harwell’s changing marijuana stance

I was truly amazed when I heard that Beth Harwell, erstwhile gubernatorial candidate and reefer madness maven, said she was "open" to medicinal cannabis here in Tennessee.

This is a major reversal of policy for Ms. Harwell.

What changed her mind? She says her sister's positive experience with state legal medicinal cannabis products in Colorado while recovering from a broken back made her rethink the issue.

Thousands of Tennesseans have, for years now, been asking Ms. Harwell and her fellow Republicans for a medical cannabis program, as can be found in 29 other states so far, to treat illnesses such as my wife's multiple sclerosis. For years now, our pleas have fallen on deaf Republican ears.

The latest polls showing over 80 percent approval for medicinal cannabis here in Tennessee have a lot more to do with Beth Harwell's "change of heart" than her newfound sense of empathy for sick and suffering Tennesseans.

We need a governor who cares about the welfare of all our citizens, not merely those to whom he or she is directly related.

Jeffrey H. Levy, Hendersonville 37075

Arpaio reaction a double standard

It seems quite pathetic to me when the media and the far left are so up in arms about the pardoning of Sheriff Arpaio when hardly a word was uttered from the same disgruntled citizens when our former president released five convicted terrorist leaders (who resumed their roles as militants of ISIS/al-Qaida) in exchange for a military deserter known for leaving his post and collaborating with the enemy.

After threats of nuclear action from North Korea, President Trump's, er, calm reaction was to issue a bigger, fiery, more powerful threat. He's always got to be firing something, usat.ly/2wIcXDk USA TODAY

Transgender ban destroys future

I have a wonderful grandson. Like all of us in America, he was free to make plans for his future — to better himself with a career of his choice, as long as he worked hard and stayed focused on his goals.

However, just a few days ago, he stepped from a normal high school student with plans to join the ROTC to a medieval aberration not seen in America in years. We were finally past that way of thinking. We had given hope that all Americans are equal. Now suddenly, with a stroke of his hate-infused pen, Trump has set us all back.

My grandson’s plans for a military future have eroded. He is suddenly not welcomed in our America.

He is transgender.

Linda Ewing, Cane Ridge 37013

Give hope to DACA children

What's happening to my beautiful country, which I served for 47 years? Twenty-two years in the Air Force military and 25 as a civil servant for the Department of Defense.

We won the Cold War without dropping an H bomb and showed the world that we were a country of laws with justice for all. We were the envy of the world. We valued and cherished the least among us. But we have changed and had to fight hard to get DACA for those unfortunate children caught in the middle of an undocumented immigration conundrum.

It took President Obama many years to acquiesce and issue DACA. Trump extended DACA, but now my native state of Texas has turned against these children. What we had won with hard work and compassionate love is again threatened by these hateful forces.

Tennessee has been a compassionate and welcoming state. This is the moment when Tennessee can make a difference and oppose Texas' horrific plot. Giving hope to DACA children is the right thing to do, and I believe our reward will be returned many fold.

Carlos Tirres, Nolensville 37135

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Two recipients of the DACA program (Differed Action for Childhood Arrivals) share their reaction to President Trump's immigration enforcement speech. TIRRC co-director shares her thoughts after listening to the proposed enforcement measures. 1/26/17
Ariana Sawyer, Karen Kraft / The Tennessean